Last updated on July 7th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, with at least 80% of sufferers remaining undiagnosed. If you believe you are at risk of OSA, you should always enquire about conducting a sleep study.
The reason for such a high figure of undiagnosed patients might be due to the common misconceptions people have with the condition. Many people are not fully aware of what OSA actually is or if it can be treated.
Below, you will find a list of common misconceptions of OSA that you should know about.
Sleep Apnea has many symptoms, snoring is just one of them.
For many people, chronic loud snoring may often lead to the diagnosis of sleep apnoea. Snoring is a symptom that is noticeable and recognised worldwide. However, it is possible for some snorers to just snore, but not have sleep apnoea. However, this works the other way round too. People who may not snore, may suffer from sleep apnoea.
The point is snoring is just one of the symptoms of OSA, and whether you experience snoring or not, you still might be at risk of OSA. It is therefore best to look out for one, or all of the following symptoms. If you believe you are at risk of OSA, you might want to talk to your GP about the symptoms you are experiencing. Your GP may then be able to refer you to a sleep specialist unit, so you can conduct a sleep study overnight at the hospital ward. If you would prefer a quick analysis, in the privacy of your own home, then you can order an at-home sleep study here.
So first, what symptoms of OSA should you be cautious of?
– Choking in sleep
– Gasping in sleep
– Daytime fatigue/ Tiredness
– Changes in mood/ Depression
If you are in any doubt of whether you should do a sleep study, there is a page guided to helping you know if a sleep study is necessary for your specific sleeping problem.
Women can have sleep apnea too.
There are roughly twice as many men who suffer from OSA than there are women. It is important to remember that OSA affects a lot of people in the world, so even though its less likely for a women to have OSA, it’s more common than you would think. Because women are less likely to snore and do not experience the same symptoms as men, the condition is more likely to go undiagnosed. If you are constantly feeling tired when awakening from your sleep, then you might have OSA. You should therefore speak to your GP about your symptoms, and if advised, you should take a sleep study. A sleep study can either be taken through the NHS at an overnight sleep unit, or you can order a confidential at-home sleep study if preferred.
Every CPAP machine and mask is different. CPAP therapy is unique to every individual.
For those who are newly diagnosed with OSA, they may not fully understand what range of therapy is available to them.
Therefore to help CPAP users with their decision, we have dedicated a whole page of advice for mask advice and CPAP machine advice. The links can be found below:
By understanding what mask and machine is right for you, you will experience enhanced comfort with your therapy based on your individual wants and needs.
You don’t have to be overweight to have Sleep Apnoea. It can affect absolutely anyone.
OSA is often more common in people who are overweight, as this causes the excess weight to block your airways. However, although the majority of people diagnosed with OSA are reported as overweight, it is also important to know that a significant number of sufferers are at an average weight.
Skipping your CPAP therapy will not work if you want to treat your symptoms effectively.
Adapting to your CPAP therapy might come across a bit daunting at first, especially for those who don’t like change. It can therefore be very easy to abandon your therapy and hope for the best at night, which has serious consequences on your health in the future. Untreated sleep apnea will not only leave you with a terrible night’s sleep, but it can also lead to many conditions or complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and an increased risk of cancer.
Alcohol does not make you sleep better.
Lots of people may have a night cap as they think a drop of whiskey may get them off to a good sleep, but studies have in fact shown that alcohol is detrimental to sleep. Alcohol counts as a depressant and can make you drowsy, but can also inhibit REM sleep, which is the most vital restorative stage of sleep. What’s more of a worry to be cautious about is the fact that alcohol tends to relax the muscles, including the soft pallet which can mean more apnea events.
What should you do if you suspect you are at risk?
If you believe that you are at risk of having OSA, then it is always advised to take a sleep study. This can be through the NHS or privately, depending on your preference.
Most people who believe they are at risk of OSA speak to their GP first about their symptoms. Of course, going through the NHS saves you costs, so this is a popular option. But depending on your area, long waiting lists may occur which is not ideal when suffering from OSA symptoms.
Conducting a sleep study privately tends to be the most common option as most sufferers feel that they would sleep better in the comfort of their own home rather than a hospital. Of course, going privately does mean that you will have to pay a fee, but it significantly speeds up the process from being diagnosed to treatment.
If you suspect you are at risk, you should talk to your GP about your symptoms.